University of Toronto alumnus Mychael Danna won his first Oscar last Sunday in the Best Original Score category for the film Life of Pi, based on Canadian author Yann Martel’s novel. This film was well received by the academy, winning more awards than any other nominated film this year, with a total of four Oscar wins. Danna was nominated for a second award, in the Best Song category, with “Pi’s Lullabye,” but he lost to Adele’s top hit, “Skyfall.”
Danna’s talent has lead him to work on scores for films such as Capote, Moneyball, and Ride with the Devil, among others, and with directors including Ang Lee, Denzel Washington, and Joel Schumacher.
Danna graduated from U of T in 1986 with a Bachelor of Music degree in composition, with his talent already being noticed by his professors. He worked with various drama groups at U of T, where he first met Canadian film director Atom Egoyan. He later worked with Egoyan on films including The Sweet Hereafter, Exotica, and Ararat and Chloe.
Danna still frequently visits and supports his alma mater. In January 2011, he returned to campus as the first Louis Applebaum Distinguished Visitor in Film Music.
